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July 25, 2006

Joseph Dobbie - that email in full

Joseph Dobbie is the latest eager emailer to be the subject of global humiliation in the media because of a mail that fell into the wrong hands. If you don't know about the story, check the BBC, Times, Guardian or Mirror. It's an example of how, and who, not to chat up when you're only a few emails away from the media. Here's the email he sent in full, which I received today.

I hope you don?t mind me getting your e-mail address from the
e-mailthat Andy sent to us all; it is a bit sneaky of me.

It was
wonderful to meet you on Saturday, and I wonder if you wouldconsider meeting
me for coffee sometime; maybe at the Tate Modern?

OK. This is where
my common sense is telling me to stop? keep it simple and

positive
joe.

And the probability of me listening to that voice? Experience
has taughtme that it is not worth putting up a fight; I will end up giving
in tothe part of me that never wants to find itself shaking its head and
muttering ?if only?'

This is the part where I throw caution to
the wind; the part where Ilisten

to my heart and remember that I
should live my life as an exultation andrevel in the opportunity to try; the
part where I refuse to apologize for who I am; the part where I trust that
the lady I met on Saturdaynight is, as I suspect, able to see sincerity
where others would seeclich
.

I am fortunate enough to have been able to collect a number of
special memories. They are memories of moments that made any struggle
leading upto them worthwhile. They are memories of moments when I am struck
bysomething so beautiful, time stands still and all of the ugliness in the
world ceases to exist.

Your smile is the freshest of my special
memories.

Regardless of whether we see each other again, I will use
it as I do myother special memories. I will call on it when I am
disheartened or low. I will hold it in my heart when I need inspiration. I
will keep it withme for moments when I need to find a smile of my
own.

I am unsure of all my motives for sharing this with you and, if
I amhonest, not ready to examine them too closely. However, I know that it
makes me feel good to believe that maybe, if you are ever upset,
knowingthat I will be keeping your smile alive might help
you through.

If you are half as intelligent and aware as I believe
you to be, I am sure that you will find what I have written, in the very
least, sweet.

If I am twice as lucky as I would dare to hope, you
will find this notecharming and agree to contact me and arrange a date.

Either way, I trust that your reply will be candid - you told me
howmuch you value honesty.

One last thing, I promise that it is
enormously rare for me to stray asfar

Hey Joe,
If she didn't understand where you were, keep trying and don't for one minute be put off by any negative remarks. Keep believing. Keep going forward. Keep an open mind and heart.
Good on you. She just wasn't worth it, or worth you.
Rory

I read about this in the digital newspaper I read at work, and I thought what this guy did was absolutelly accurate and I applause him, he followed his feelings and told someone what he felt, DESPITE what the "rational" self says. You know where that "rational" self comes from? From the idea of not being yourself, of not talking about feelings, because you'll look ridiculous in front of the whole world, so WATCH OUT! What's so wrong about showing your feelings in the first place? it actually takes a lot of courage, character, self decision, and diferentiating yourself from everyone else if necessary, which is something none of you poor and jealous people have. Let him be, as well as the rst of people who refuse to read the life book "how to be what I should be and not what I am", and keep on living making jokes out of people like him, that you'll have a great life and experiences.. duh.